Palestinian Politics After Annapolis
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------- The Palestinian situation has largely changed after after Annapolis.it is difficult to understand why so much propaganda was launched in its favor.People in the world even could not understand why total silence now Al-Ahram columnist Sheikh Al-Naami writes, “the majority of columnists and opinion writers are now warning Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas against accepting American- Israeli proposals that will deepen rifts in Palestine's body politic. Writers and members of the elite connected to the PA who previously defended the attendance of the leadership at the meeting with enthusiasm now express embarrassment over Israel's interpretation of what was agreed in Annapolis. Statements such as that made by the Israel premier Ehud Olmert that the end of 2008 is not an obligatory date for Israel to complete negotiations with the PA, or by Olmert's deputy, Avigdor Lieberman, who said even the end of 2008 may not be an appropriate date for ending the conflict, have undermined Abbas's credibility and ruined his attempts to frame the Annapolis meeting as a Palestinian success.””Meanwhile, the suffering of Palestinians in the West Bank, where the Fayyad government is in charge, continues unabated. Assassinations, arrests, restrictions on movement and settler attacks against Palestinians continue at pre-Annapolis levels. More damaging to Abbas's credibility is that Israel's interpretation of what took place at Annapolis has not stopped his security forces from continuing the policy of "complementary" work, joining the Israeli army to quash resistance in the West Bank, particularly by Hamas.” We agree with the columnist Sheikh Al- Naami.Annapolis has harmed the Palestinian cause.However it is possible that the frustration generated by this conference may re-unite the Palestinians for achievement of all teir rights.Mahmoud Abbas should see the sign and amend, otherwise his end will be that of a total failure . . . . . . . . Widening Palestinian divisions was always one of the goals of Tel Aviv and Washington at Annapolis. Ironically, Israel's selective reading of the meeting's joint declaration of intentions may yet prompt Palestinians to heal these rifts. (see p.6) ·